In a landmark development, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has reached a $2.8 billion settlement to resolve antitrust claims brought by health care providers, including chiropractors. The lawsuit accused BCBS of dividing the nation into exclusive regions and limiting competition, which resulted in lower reimbursements for providers. Although BCBS denies any wrongdoing, the company agreed to the settlement to avoid lengthy litigation – and you can get a piece of the pie.
Indian Health Service Act Includes Chiropractic
If you're currently treating Native American patients in your practice, the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research needs to hear from you. The Palmer Center is developing a health services research project to document to what extent chiropractic providers are meeting the health care needs of underserved population groups, such as Native Americans.
The legislative language of the Indian Health Service Act now includes chiropractic health care providers. Palmer expects that information from their documentation project will help guide policies on health care and reimbursement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If your chiropractic practice patient base includes a number of Native American patients, your assistance is vital.
Please immediately contact:
Monica Smith, DC, PhD
Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research
741 Brady Street
Davenport, Iowa 52803
phone: 319-884-5173
fax: 319-884-5227
e-mail: smith_m@palmer.edu